🔗 Share this article England along with Wales Placed Together for the 2027 World Cup Down Under The group draw was conducted by sporting icons such as former All Black Dan Carter. The English side and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe. This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit. Other Notable Group Pairings Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals. Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D. Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group. Tournament Ramifications If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider. Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland. Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A. The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition. In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa. Expanded Format for 2027 Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France. This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence. While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16. Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase. Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw Pool A New Zealand Australia Chile Hong Kong Pool B South Africa Italy Georgia Romania Pool C Argentina Fiji Spain Canada Pool D Ireland Scotland Uruguay Portugal Pool E France Japan USA Samoa Pool F England Wales Tonga Zimbabwe